Your Driving and the Road
passed vehicle before vou can return to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand to the left.
To move
the trailer to the right, move
your hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When towing
a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs
are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating.
If
you are towing a trailer and you have
a manual transmission with fifth gear,
you may prefer not
to use fifth gear. Just
drive in fourth gear (or, as
you need to,
.a lower gear).
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your
rig could start
to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park
your rig on a
hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
“F’” (Park) yet, or into gear
for a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
trailer wheels.
4. Reapply the regular brakes.
Then
apply your parking brake, and then
shift to
‘T” (Park), or “R” (Reverse)
for a manual transmission.
5. If you have a four-wheel-drive
vehicle, be sure the transfer case is
in
a drive gear - not in “N” (Neutral).
6. Release the regular brakes.
. .-’ . 1 28
ProCarManuals.com
will help keep your battery from running
down.
Contact your dealer to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods. Bulb Replacement
See “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to
check the size and type of bulb you need
to use.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlights
To replace the headlight bulb:
1. Open the hood.
2. Push in on both sides and pull
rearward, while holding the headlight
wiring harness, to disconnect it from
the bulb.
177 ... ProCarManuals.com
Service and Appearance Care
Vehicle Identification
Number
(VZN)
rhis is the legal identifier for your Geo. I
lppears on a plate in the front corner of
he instrument panel, on the driver’s side.
fou can see it
if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle.
he VIN also appears
on the Vehicle
ktification and Service Parts labels and
he certificates
of title and registration.
Engine Identification
rhe eighth character in your VIN is the
:ngine code.
This code will help you
denti€y your engine, specifications, and
meplacement parts.
. .I96
9
1
I
il
1
t
Service Parts
Identification Label
You’ll find this label inside the glove box
m the door. It’s very helpful if you ever
need to order parts.
On this label is:
B -your VIN,
the model designation,
B paint information, and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed
From the vehicle.
Add-on Electrical
Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your
Geo unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. Some add-on electri-
cal equipment can keep other compo-
nents from working as they should.
I.
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are
protected from short circuits by fuses,
circuit breakers and thermal
links in the
wiring itself. This greatly reduces the
chance
of fires caused by electrical
problems.
The main
fuse box is in your engine
compartment
OR the right side. It protects
all electrical loads.
ProCarManuals.com
Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (cont.)
Schedule / (Cont.)
* An Emission Control Service.
t The US. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will
not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful life. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded in “Section E: Maintenance Record.”
WHAT TO SERVICE
See “Explanation of Scheduled
Schedules
I and 11.
ITEM NO. Maintenance Services” following
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months
(whichever occurs first).
14
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement* See “Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance
Services” following Schedules
I and 11.
15 I Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection*t I
See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services” following Schedules
I and 11.
16
Every
80,000 miles (133 000 km). Heated
Oxygen Sensor Replacement*
18 Every
100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
Fuel Injector Inspection”
17 Every
30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 30 months. Fuel Filter Replacement*
l9 I
Evaporative Emissions Canister
Replacement* I Every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Engine Control Module (ECM) and 2o Associated Sensors Inspection* Every 100,000 miles (1 66 000 km).
21 Every
100,000 miles (166 000 kml
Three Wav Catalvtic Converter Inspection* 22
Every 60,000 miles (100 000 km). Emission
System Hoses Inspection*
~~ I - \--- ~~
23 I Engine Timing and Distributor Check* I Every 60,000 miles (100 000 km).
24
Every 60,000 miles (100 000 km). Brake Fluid
Service 28
Every 60,000 miles (100 000 km) or 60 months.
Wiring Harness and Connectors Inspection* 27
Every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months.
Power Steering System Inspection 26
Every 15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Valve Lash (Clearance) Inspection* 25
Every 15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Engine Idle Speed Check*?
. . ,208
ProCarManuals.com
Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance
Schedule /I (Cont.)
* An Emission Control Service.
t The US. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful life. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded in “Section E: Maintenance Record.”
-
ITEM NO.
20
21
-
Services (Cont.)
WHAT TO SERVICE
See “Explanation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services” following
Schedules
I and 11.
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement*
Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection*?
Fuel Filter Replacement*
Fuel Injector Inspection* Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement*
Evaporative Emissions Canister
Replacement*
Engine Control Module (ECM) and
Associated Sensors Inspection”
Emission System Hoses Inspection*
Three Way Catalytic Converter Inspection*
Engine Timing and Distributor Check*
Engine Idle Speed Check*?
Valve Lash (Clearance) Inspection*
Power Steering System Inspection
Wiring Harness and Connectors Inspection*
Brake Fluid Service
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months
(whichever occurs first).
See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services” following Schedules
I and 11.
See “Explanation
of Scheduled Maintenance
Services” following Schedules I and
11.
Every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 30 months.
Every
100,000 miis (166 000 km).
Everv 80.000 miles (1 33 000 km).
Every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Everv
60.000 miles (100 000 km). ~~
Every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Every
60,000 miles (100 000 km).
Every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months.
Every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) or 60 months.
Every
60,000 miles (100 000 km).
. . .212
ProCarManuals.com
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
24 Engine Idle Speed-Check*t -
Check the idle speed and adjust
it to underhood label
specifications.
Inspection”
- Inspect the valve
lash and adjust if necessary.
Inspection
- Check the power
steering gear box, pump and
hose connections for leaks or
damage. Check the fluid level on
the dipstick. See “Power Steering
Fluid” in the Index. Check the
drive belt for cracks, fraying and
wear. Check belt tension. There
should be 0.24-0.35”
(6-9 mm)
deflection when you press your
thumb midway between the
pulleys. Adjust or replace belt
as needed.
25 Valve Lash (Clearance)
26 Power Steering System
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
27 Wiring Harness and Connectors
Inspection*
- Inspect the
underhood wiring harness for
loose connections, chafed wires
and damage.
refill and bleed the brake system
every
60,000 miles (100 000 km).
Use only new DOT-3 fluid from
a sealed container.
28 Brake Fluid Service - Drain,
* An Emission Control Service.
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to pe~orm this
maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty
or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful life. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded in “Section
E: Maintenance
Record.”
r
217 ...
ProCarManuals.com